Durham start well at Lord's

Apr 9 2009

Rain disrupted the first session of the English first-class season, after county champions Durham had begun impressively against the MCC at Lord's this morning.

England Test batting hopefuls among the representative side had to wait for their chance to impress after Robert Key won the toss and opted to field in chilly conditions. That meant Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell did not get an immediate opportunity to stake a claim for recalls.

Durham openers Michael di Venuto and Mark Stoneman took their side to 58 without loss when the second rain interruption brought about an early lunch.

Australian di Venuto struck boundaries in each of the first three overs, twice cutting hard at Kabir Ali either side of tucking a leg-side delivery from Sajid Mahmood to the rope at fine-leg.

Stoneman, the other half of the north-east county's left-handed opening combination, accumulated his runs at a slower pace initially but took advantage of Kabir over-pitching to on-drive for four in the fifth over.

Stoneman had not added to the 20 he had made by the first stoppage when he edged Tim Bresnan to first slip, where Stephen Moore floored a straightforward opportunity.

The rain blew in again during Yorkshireman Bresnan's next over, the 16th of the innings, to drive the players from the field.